The India T20 team embarks on a new journey without their regular lucky charms, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli against Zimbabwe in a five-match series that is set to begin in Harare on Saturday, with the aim of discovering themselves for the future.
In a way, it is like pressing a restart button for Shubman Gill, who was part of the reserves list during the recently concluded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup as well as most of the other IPL players while India basks in the glory of winning the T20 World Cup.
Throughout this series to be held exclusively in Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital city, every new comer is expected to make his international debut.
Two youngsters could get their first call-ups based on their performances for them at this high level which are Riyan Parag from Assam who has shown great promise as a t20 hitter and Abhishek Sharma from Punjab who had an excellent season with Sunrisers Hyderabad at IPL. Both have ticked all boxes required here.
Even though both Rohit and Kohli have skipped several bilateral tours especially during shortest formats over past few years but there will still be noticeable void left behind by their formal retirement from game.
Though replacing such abilities as well as qualities brought by two contemporary cricket legends may not be easy yet old must give way to young ones; that’s how things go.
Zimbabwe may not have been the strongest of opponents but when it comes to Twenty 20 cricket, they aren’t too far off from each other like it occurs in other two versions.
Such days when there is wind blowing hard at Harare Sports Club Sikandar Raza-led hosts can be very dangerous since the ball will move around as day goes on.
These young ones will stay in contention once all members of world champion side are recalled into national duty after putting up good displays during this series.
As from 3rd match onwards Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal will be available with some of the youngsters having only a couple of games to showcase talents.
Given that Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav who is likely to be his deputy are going back for T20Is in the future, there won’t be many vacancies in that XI. The national team has 34 matches before 2026 T20 World Cup in India (shortest format).
However, whether it will be captain Gill opening or his best friend Abhishek being handed his first cap remains to be seen as well as if Ruturaj Gaikwad who was the Asian Games gold-winning captain when he skippered the Indian team at this age group tournament would be chosen.
This is because Abhishek might start ahead of Gaikwad or bat third. Parag is more likely than Abhishek to make his debut because he can play at number four which is where he bats for Royals.
Consequently designated finisher for years in this India T20 side Rinku Singh would bat at No. 5 followed by Dhruv Jurel or Jitesh Sharma who would take up wicket-keeping duties as they come in at No. 6.
Jurel, who had a good debut in the Test series against England, will probably play the first two matches before Samson comes.
India (first 2 games): Shubman Gill(captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh, Dhruv Jurel(wk), Riyan Parag, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, Tushar Deshpande, Sai Sudharsan, Jitesh Sharma(wk), Harshit Rana.
This is followed by the Zimbabwe innings: Sikandar Raza (c), Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Tendai Chatara, Luke Jongwe, Innocent Kaia, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani. Wellington Masakadza, Brandon Mavuta, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Antum Naqvi, Richard Ngarava, Milton Shumba.
